SB Nation User Blog: Syphon

Bye Bye Matt Holliday.

Syphon — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 23:42:53 -0000

Now that Teixeria has signed with the Yankees for about 22.5 Million dollars per year for 8 years, I think that pretty much seals Holliday's fate in Oakland. Boras will trot him out at the end of the 2009 season and get him a similar deal.

Holliday has a better career BA, OBP, and SLG. However Tex is the better defender, with his Gold Glove D at first base.

So. Now I think Billy Beane must trade Matt around the ASB and finally bring home a top of the line hitting prospect thats close to the MLB level. Or an established MLB bat that is young and cost controlled. I think theres no chance we sign him to an extention. Nor do I think a first round and supplemental first round pick is worth enough for him.

So what say you Athletics Nation? Trade, Keep and let go, or Sign Holliday for 7 years 150 Mil?

For me. If Im Billy Beane and I wanna spend money on the next great A's hitter. I spend it on Holliday. But.. I just dont think we can afford him.

Jesus Guzman signs with Giants

Syphon — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:41:58 -0000

"For most of the off-season, it appeared that the Oakland A's were going to be able to re-sign minor league free agent Jesus Guzman, who won the Texas League batting title this season, his first as part of the A's organization. However, at the last minute, the A's cross-town rivals, the San Francisco Giants, got Guzman to sign with them instead. The Giants are looking at a wide open competition at third base next season, and Guzman may have figured that the Giants presented a better big league opportunity than the A's."

There goes one of our Chavez back up plans. Looks like just Baisley/Hannahan remains.

Link

A's Decline Embree

Syphon — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 21:42:33 -0000

The Oakland A's announced on Friday that they had declined the 2009 option on veteran left-hander Alan Embree.

"In an unsurprising move, the Oakland A's declined their 2009 option on left-handed reliever Alan Embree. Embree went 2-5 with a 4.96 ERA in 70 appearances last season for Oakland, his second year with the A's. Oakland has filled the veteran's 40-man roster spot with infielder Joe Dillon, who had been cut by the Milwaukee Brewers earlier in the week."

Link: Here

Alderson/Bumgarner or Anderson/Cahill?

Syphon — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:49:28 -0000

Was reading Keith Law's chat today and someone asked this question:

Jeremy (NY): Alderson/Bumgarner or Anderson/Cahill?

Keith Law: Can I have them all? I'll take the SF kids.

Got me to thinking what some other people thought on this question. So here goes.

God I hate this 75 word minimum req. Man I really hate this 75 word minimum requirement. Its sucks. Man I really hate this 75 word minimum requirement. Its sucks. Man I really hate this 75 word minimum requirement. Its sucks. Man I really hate this 75 word minimum requirement. Its sucks. Man I really hate this 75 word minimum requirement. Its sucks.Man I really hate this 75 word minimum requirement. Its sucks. Man I really hate this 75 word minimum requirement. Its sucks..

Poll

Alderson/Bumgarner or Anderson/Cahill?

Anderson/Cahill

95 votes

Alderson/Bumgarner

104 votes

199 votes | Poll has closed

Cliff Pennington Called Up to the A's

Syphon — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 23:07:53 -0000

**update** Pennington is in the lineup, playing third and batting ninth. DiNardo was sent to Sacramento and Brooks Conrad was designated for assignmment to make room on the 40-man for Pennington. This will be Pennington's major-league debut.**

The A's haven't put out a release yet, but Cliff Pennington is working out on the field with hitting coach Ty Van Burkleo.

Left-hander Lenny DiNardo is heading back to Sacramento, that's the word in the press box.

Link Here

2008 MiLB Futures Game

Syphon — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 16:54:51 -0000

Cant wait to see Cahill and Anderson. Henry Rodriguez should be fun to watch. And just how did Cliff Pennington end up on the USA Team? Should be great to watch! Also get to see all young great talent young the Major Leagues. Last year we had Jay Bruce, Joba Chamberlain, Clay Buchholz, Jacoby Elsburry and alot more great young talent to watch.

Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler Filler

Sean Doolittle

Syphon — Mon, 19 May 2008 06:12:27 -0000

Oakland's 1st round pick(41st overall). Having a fantastic year so far for A+ Stockton. Hitting .366/.453/.694 with a 1.146OPS.While having 12 home run and 42 RBIs. He leads the CAL league in HRs/RBIs/Total Bases/Runs. Hes a very interesting prospect. In College he was a part time pitcher and also played 1st base. He was drafted by Beane most likely for his BB:K ratio with hopes he would develop power and boy has he. This year in Stockton you can throw out his BB:K ratio and but marvel at his power. Just wondering what some other people think about his future. Is he someone who you can see being a good power hitting 1st baseman, or are his numbers this year just a product of the CAL league?

Carlos Gonzalez to make A's roster?

Syphon — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:08:50 -0000

According to this article:

http://www.laverdad.com/detallenew.asp?idcat=5&idnot=70601

In this article Gonzalez says that Billy Beane told him, before the trip to Japan, that he will be the everyday CF.

"They are very happy and I feel well for that reason, since he was something that we were hoping for a long time". Surely It is the first time in its race that will be part of róster of 25. "He is something that I cannot explain, but as always I say it, most difficult it will be to maintain to me". González is already super safe that its debut will be the next Tuesday and is right sufficient thus to think it. "they said to Me that it was going to play in the central garden". The left-handed toletero must demonstrate the weekend that totally is recovered of the injury in its right leg, the same one that it prevented him to travel to Tokyo for the inaugural day. "they requested to Me that it played Saturday and Sunday in parties of Smaller Leagues, but that will be of only proceeding because I am enough good of the leg. I do not have any type of pain. I am one hundred recovered percent ". Occupied Between the practices, games of Leagues Smaller and adjustments of the trip towards Oakland, to Carlos González it did not give chance to see the games him of its equipment in Japan. "I saw only the news. It was important to obtain a victory there ". To the marabino patrol craft it does not bother to him to have lost that historical series in Japan. "They are things that happen. It was not for me to be in Japan and now I am concentrated in my debut the next week. That is my priority so far ". On the expectations that have been generated from their arrival to Oakland, it preferred not to speak much. "much has praised Me, but I do not think about that."

We shall see.

What course will Beane take with all the young arms?

Syphon — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 02:42:03 -0000

With the recent surge of acquired pitching prospects, what route do you think Billy Beane will take as pertaining to their progression?

As most of you all know the Big 3 were rushed to the majors early in their careers. Barry Zito in his first year went from A+ to AA to AAA. Spent most of the year in AAA the next year and was called up. A very fast promotion indeed. Mark Mulder was drafted and went straight to AAA where he spent his first year. The next year he spent all but 1 start in AAA in the Majors. Tim Hudson spent bout a year and a half going from A- to A+ to AA to AAA and was with the major league team within 2 years of being drafted.

Now I understand some of these kids we have now were High School kids and not polished college pitchers but the theory may be the same.

My main question to AN is when can we expect these young arms to be in Oakland? Also is this a no rush situation? Let the kids spend the time they may need in the minors and not try and rush them? Or do you see Beane being aggressive with his promotions, trying to get the best team on the field ASAP.

I for one would like to see these kids challenged and promoted aggressively in order to minimize the "rebuilding" process.

Poll

What to do with the kid picthers?

Give them the time they need

50 votes

Take case by case Approach

122 votes

Aggressive Promotions

20 votes

192 votes | Poll has closed